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Desig ned Wear 1990 to Haute couture is generally associated with the fashion runways of Paris, not Portland. But each spring the Oregon School of & Crafts (OSAC) stages "Designed to Wear," a juried showcase for original garments by fiber artists. According to producer/choreographer Janice Plihal, the event, which was begun as a fundraiser in 1981 by OSAC's fiber de model 1990, contemporary music and dance were combined with elaborate stage settings in two sell-out shows sponsored by JC Penney at the Portland Center for the Performing turned arti᥾ t/designer, has coo rdin᥾ A Collaboration c Designed-fo-Wear producer Janice Plihal hand-dyed crepe de chine to hout seams to accentuate reat᥾㭡 on air of cosual elegance. Model, designer, and a brilliant red before constructing the jumpsuit. Plihal assembled the matching reversible silk charmeuse jacket wit shapes. The design, spontaneous motifs swimming against the monochromatic color scheme, was inspired by the early 20th century artist Gustave Klimt. (Photo by John Emmerling) 78 silkpoinfer Potty Bocker's flowing composition of swirls and geometriC M Nol.Neau The jurors chose 125 garments from more than 280 slides submitted by 150 artists from the U.S. and Canada. Juror Liz MapeUi, who creates large-scale artworks, said "We were looking for unique design and quality construction-things that were both art pieces and fantasy pieces, and really wearable." Entries were judged on originality, style, and creative use of materials. Materials ranged from paper and film to hand-painted fabric. Designs included cutwork pieced jackets, oil-painted canvas vests, stenciled suede, and painted leather. Carolyn Price Dyer's "Coat of Mail" was composed of pieced and stitched bits of Asian money and newspapers, and the hemline was bordered with slides of the Republic of China. The tenth annual Designed to Wear Show will be held April 26, Arts. 1991. Fiber artists and designers wanting more information may contact the Designed-to-Wear Committee, OSAC, 8245 Road, Portland, OR 97225, (503) 297-5544. -Deborah Barry Deborah Barry is an arts writer in Portland, OR. SW Th read᥾ Maga᥾ine Barnes ted the show since 1986. For liha᥾ Arts part᥾ent, is not just a fashion show, but a break from traditional runway modeling with a ''theatrical twist." P , an haute-couture